ICT Crime Prevention Program

The Lock, Take and Hide program was started by the Dallas Police Department in the fall of 2001 in response to the ever-increasing rate of burglaries and car theft, particularly during the late-year holiday shopping seasons. The program urged motorists to Lock their car, Take their keys and Hide their possessions when they leave their vehicle.

On March 2, 2005, theAustinPolice Department saw the success of the crime prevention program in Dallas and turned to the Insurance Council of Texas (ICT) for initial funding of the Lock, Take and Hide crime prevention program in Austin.

ICT produced and delivered the first 100 Lock, Take and Hide signs that were installed in the parking areas of Austin’s shopping malls, restaurants and apartment complexes. The program was so successful that the Austin Police Department purchased an additional 1,000 Lock, Take and Hide signs that were distributed throughout Austin.

Since that time, dozens of Texas police departments have turned to ICT for Lock, Take and Hide signs. Law enforcement officers say where ever the signs are placed, the incidence of auto theft and auto burglaries is reduced by 20 percent.

Auto thefts can occur at any time, but the highest reports of auto burglary often appear during the heavy holiday shopping season starting in November. This is the time that ICT works with police departments and tries to fulfill the requests for Lock, Take and Hide signs.

For more information about ICT’s Lock, Take and Hide program, contact Camille Garcia at 512-637-5440 office, 512-713-4262 cell, or cgarcia@insurancecouncil.org.